GroW Families

Groups for families with babies and young children

GroW (Grove and Wantage) Families is a charitable community group set up in response to the closure of the local Children's Centre in 2017. It runs a full programme of welcoming, inclusive group activities for families with babies and children under five in the Wantage and Grove area, and is supported by Wantage Town Council, Grove Parish Council and other grants and donations.

The Stay and Play, baby and antenatal groups offer a warm welcome, a listening ear, signposting to other services and the chance for parents and carers to relax and meet other families. Through play, stories, singing and group activities, GroW supports children's development, particularly communication and language and social and emotional development. Over 120 families attend its groups every week.

GroW operates under the umbrella of Grove Parish Church, which is part of the Church of England and registered charity number 1129066 (the Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist, Grove). Its office is at St Johns Rooms, Main Street, Grove, OX12 7LQ.

What happens at a group

GroW's Stay and Play sessions offer activities covering the Early Years Foundation Stage areas of development, with craft activities, messy play, a healthy snack including two portions of fruit or vegetables, stories and singing.

GroW is very busy, but it is worth joining the waiting list, as there are often cancellations in the days before a group. Families are also referred to the groups by or with Home-Start volunteers, nursery nurses, health visitors, social services and other health professionals.

Book through the GroW booking page.

Courses for parents and carers

GroW regularly runs programmes from the Centre for Emotional Health (previously Family Links):

• Welcome to the World, for expectant parents
• The Nurturing Programme, a ten week course
• The Parenting Puzzle, a four week course that GroW often runs over five weeks

The Nurturing Programme and Parenting Puzzle are ideal for families with children aged 0 to 5 and helpful for families with children of any age. The courses are free (donations welcome but not expected) and open to all parents and carers of babies, toddlers or children in the OX12 area. Toddlers and children cannot attend, but babies in arms (pre-crawling) are welcome.

GroW also offers family first aid courses and baby massage courses, and visits from health teams such as Community Dental Services and the Active Communities team. Email contact@growfamilies.co.uk for details of the next courses.

Donate, fundraise or volunteer

GroW relies on grants, donations and fundraising to run its service. Wantage Town Council, Grove Parish Council and the Oxfordshire Community Foundation all fund its work.

• Donate at a group: groups are free, but donations by cash or contactless stay within GroW and go directly towards the cost of running groups.
• Fundraise: GroW would welcome help with fundraising, supporting grant applications and finding funding, including from companies that give donations or staff time to local charities.
• White Horse Community Lottery: tickets are £1, with 50% going to GroW and a further 10% to other good causes, and a £25,000 grand prize. Play for GroW.
• Volunteer: GroW needs help making refreshments for parents and carers at its toddler groups, and has spaces on its management committee, which oversees all its activities. As little as an hour a week helps.
• Work for GroW: GroW is always looking for experienced and qualified bank staff to help cover sessions.

To volunteer, send a message through the Join Our Team page and GroW will email back with an application form.